Ohio State Football: What Win over Michigan Would Mean for Buckeyes

For the Ohio State Buckeyes, the 2012 season wasn't the ideal year to post an undefeated season, because they won't get the national recognition they deserve for such an impressive accomplishment.

Nonetheless, an undefeated season is an undefeated season all the same. And considering the circumstances, the Buckeyes' ability to post a perfect 11-0 record heading into their regular season finale on Saturday is truly stunning.

Despite its inability to play for a national title, Urban Meyer's team has put together a season to remember, and it sits one game away from being one of college football's only undefeated teams for the 2012 season.

And the Buckeyes couldn't have hand-picked a better opponent to complete their perfect season against themselves.

On Saturday, Ohio State will take on hated rival Michigan (No. 19) in a game that will have serious bowl game implications for the Wolverines. With a win, the Blue and Gold will no doubt move up significantly in the BCS rankings.

Conversely, if Ohio State can close out its undefeated season, Meyer's boys have a shot at ending the regular season ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, which would be a nice consolation prize for the Buckeyes.

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Team records aside, though, OSU has another crown it will be playing for on Saturday, as star quarterback Braxton Miller still has an outside shot at taking home the 2012 Heisman Trophy.

According to Chris Huston of CBS' Heisman Watch, Miller enters the Michigan game as the No. 4 candidate for college football's top individual award.

Against a Top 20 team like Michigan, Miller could vault himself into serious contention with a big day, especially after Collin Klein's Kansas State Wildcats and Kenjon Barner's Oregon Ducks lost last weekend.

Miller may not be able to catch Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel in the race for the Heisman, but he'll put himself in a good position to take a run at the trophy with a standout performance on Saturday.

Regardless of whether or not Miller wins the Heisman, if the Buckeyes complete the season undefeated, it will be a remarkable accomplishment—one that's indicative of the amount of dedication and drive this team brings to the field every day, even without a national title to play for.